Q: I gotta be missing something here... how do you connect speakers to this? I see the microphone and headphone jacks, but not one for speakers.

That depends if you're looking for a simple 2.0/2.1 speaker system you would just hook it up to the head phone spot. If you're looking for 5.1/7.1 systems you need to find something that works with either USB or HDMI. Remember this was designed as a signage computer which means that at normally at most it is supposed to output sound to a TV through HDMI while looping an advertisement.

Q: will this run windows XP?

Yes. Performance (graphics included) will be dependent on the processor you pick. The lowest quality proc you can throw in this will run 7. Pick an i7 with Intel 4000 and you can even play limited games. Beastie box with the right mem/CPU. Don't let it's size fool you.

Q: How long is the section of cord that goes from the power brick to the wall?

Hang on while I go to my office and measure ... it is 6 feet long. The power cord can be unplugged from the power brick. There are several styles of power cords. The end of this one that plugs into the brick is shaped like a figure 8. (Some power cords have a figure 8 with a flat side because they are polarized, but this one isn't, so it's the plain figure 8.)

Q: Is the motherboard capable of RAID on board?

I was about to say no unequivocally, but then I ran across a RAID driver for the unit. I don't see how it can support RAID onboard through. There are two SATA connectors but only one power connector and only 1 x bay for 2.5" drive. The sole mini-PCIE socket could accommodate a separate m-SATA drive. There are no RAID options in BIOS (v2.04). Perhaps you could connect it to a separate RAID array but that would seem to defeat the purpose of this unit. It's a nice little box but I wouldn't recommend it for RAID.

Question 1

So it's essentially a motherboard/heatsink/power supply?

I would need to purchase a processor/ram/hard drive to get it working? I was planning on building a standard ITX system, but this caught my eye.

Accepted Answer

Yes.  You need a processor for this one.  It requires a special processor that meets two criteria:  1) it needs to have the graphics built into the CPU.  2) it needs to be low power, since this unit doesn't have a lot of heat dissipation.    There aren't many made with these specifications. Check the shuttle website for what they recommend.   I got an i7 quad core that was on the list.  Works great. Don't need a heat sink though.  The shuttle comes with one.

Question 2

what do I have to have to make this work as a computer? 8.1 operating system $100 ? hard drive $80? memory $80? = what else

Accepted Answer

Yes, at minimum you will need a hard drive, memory, operating system, keyboard/mouse, and a display device.  If you're interested in the configuration I built (which is running great with Windows 7 Home and Media Center), here is my Newegg wish list which has all the components I used except the display (it plugs into my TV with an HDMI cable.)

I can't post a link here, but it is called HTPC 2014 and the WishListNumber=24102765

Probably you can view any public wishlist, and then change the number to the one above in the URL.

Question 3

Can I use Gen-4 Intel CPUs in this Barebone?

Accepted Answer

No, the DS61 only supports LGA 1155 processors - Ivy and Sandy Bridge.  Gen-4 Intel CPUs are Haswell CPUs which require an LGA 1150 platform.

Question 4

Is there an OS on this, is so which OS is pre-installed?

Accepted Answer

There is no OS installed.  In fact, there is no CPU, RAM, or hard disk either.  This is a case/PS/Mb.

I have one of these and one DS81.  I like the for factor because it can be attached to certain monitors using available VESA holes, it is small, quiet, and has a nice set of built in peripherals.

I have run these units with Windows 7 and various Linux installs and have not encountered any issues.

Question 5

Is this just a case and Mobo? do I need to purchase RAM HDD and CPU?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Bare bone means you need EAM/HDrive/ and CPU. Plus of course an OS. This box is very well made and has an "industrial" feel. highly recommend.

Question 6

Hello,

I have purchased this from NewEgg. What i5 IVy bridge CPU would you recommend?

Accepted Answer

You can look up the IvyBridge i5 options at Intels site: ark intel com

you need to choose the i5's that end with S (<65W 3330S/3450S/3475S/3550S/3570S/3470S/3340S) or T (<35/45W 3570T/3470T).  As this shuttle motherboard uses 1155 socket, you can also consider using SandyBridge as well for as long as max TDP is under 65W.

Question 7

I gotta be missing something here... how do you connect speakers to this? I see the microphone and headphone jacks, but not one for speakers.

Accepted Answer

That depends if you're looking for a simple 2.0/2.1 speaker system you would just hook it up to the head phone spot. If you're looking for 5.1/7.1 systems you need to find something that works with either USB or HDMI.

Remember this was designed as a signage computer which means that at normally at most it is supposed to output sound to a TV through HDMI while looping an advertisement.

Question 8

will this run windows XP?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Performance (graphics included) will be dependent on the processor you pick.  The lowest quality proc you can throw in this will run 7.   Pick an i7 with Intel 4000 and you can even play limited games.  Beastie box with the right mem/CPU.  Don't let it's size fool you.

Question 9

How long is the section of cord that goes from the power brick to the wall?

Accepted Answer

Hang on while I go to my office and measure ... it is 6 feet long. The power cord can be unplugged from the power brick. There are several styles of power cords. The end of this one that plugs into the brick is shaped like a figure 8. (Some power cords have a figure 8 with a flat side because they are polarized, but this one isn't, so it's the plain figure 8.)

Question 10

Is the motherboard capable of RAID on board?

Accepted Answer

I was about to say no unequivocally, but then I ran across a RAID driver for the unit. I don't see how it can support RAID onboard through. There are two SATA connectors but only one power connector and only 1 x bay for 2.5" drive. The sole mini-PCIE socket could accommodate a separate m-SATA drive. There are no RAID options in BIOS (v2.04). Perhaps you could connect it to a separate RAID array but that would seem to defeat the purpose of this unit. It's a nice little box but I wouldn't recommend it for RAID.

Questions & Answers